IBM’s new study reveals that mainframes are playing a crucial role in supporting AI innovation, hybrid cloud strategies, and digital transformation. The survey, conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value in collaboration with Oxford Economics, found that 78% of IT executives are either piloting projects or operationalizing initiatives that incorporate AI capabilities into mainframe applications and transactions. Organizations view the mainframe as an invaluable platform for deploying enterprise AI across various functions, including driving innovation, bolstering cybersecurity, streamlining operations, and modernizing applications.
79% of respondents agree that the mainframe is essential for enabling AI-driven innovation and value creation. By applying AI directly to transactional workloads on the mainframe, businesses can extract new insights and enhance workforce productivity. In terms of security, 90% of surveyed executives indicated their organizations are piloting or implementing AI-powered cybersecurity projects, with 82% citing the mainframe’s importance for monitoring, analyzing, and responding to cyber threats.
74% of respondents said they are integrating AI into mainframe operations to enhance system management and maintenance, while 61% noted the significance of using generative AI for application modernization efforts on mainframes.
Mainframe’s key role in AI
Mainframes also play a vital role in successful hybrid cloud strategies, enabling organizations to deploy application workloads in the most suitable computing environments.
Critical workloads, such as financial transactions, healthcare records, and government services, demand advanced security, reliability, and scalability. By using mainframes for these workloads, organizations can tap into their optimized architecture for unparalleled performance and efficiency. As organizations advance in their digital transformation journeys, they must leverage their existing investments in mainframes to unlock the full potential of their data with hybrid cloud and AI technologies.
IT leaders looking to revitalize their mainframe strategies should consider establishing a solid IT foundation, empowering DevOps teams, enhancing mainframe operations, infusing AI into business transactions, and investing in advanced mainframe capabilities and skill sets. The mainframe’s staying power is more evident than ever in the era of hybrid cloud and AI. Its role as a strategic asset, ensuring security, data privacy, and operational efficiency, makes it indispensable for organizations striving to remain competitive.
By embracing modernization strategies that leverage the mainframe’s strengths, organizations can accelerate their digital transformation journeys and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
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